The Lost Scrolls of Nestor & Tinka 2023

Photo by Joel Brueske Photography

Cold heart / warm heart

Sunday morning, Nestor and I had a chance to wander for a bit. He caught the attention of a woman on one of the rented motorized scooters. She had named her steed 'Coldheart.' We had a lovely chat with her. We made her laugh. We made an effort to admire her while making her feel welcomed and she told us how she appreciated it. If Nestor laid out some charm, I tried to lay it out thicker. I was not going to let him out-do me. He shook her hand and kissed the back of it, and so did I. We both shouted for her daughter when she told us the name. We helped reunite her when the opportunity presented itself. We gave the Lady Karen one hell of a morning.

***

Labor Day weekend was one of the hottest three day stretches in recent memory, everyone was doing everything possible to take care of each other. When I was ready to 'fall' on Saturday, Nestor and the rest of the team made sure I got food, rest, and into some cool air; I made it through the rest of the day. The team made sure the show kept going.

***

Someone also said to Nestor about the Sidequest Stop, "Can we come back here next year? This is my favorite place to be."

***

The end of the day has been bringing Nestor and I to Queen's gate. He's spent a lot of time in that area, they know him around there. In the Chainmaile shop where he hawked for 10 years, he stood next to one of the artists then called my name and said, "Tink, which one of us wore it best?"

As of the writing of the article, she was winning over Nestor at a ratio of three-to-one.

***

If there's something Nestor and I are both absolute suckers for, it's fan-art. This was one I got weekend three from a young girl when it was really hot out. I saw the drawing, but Nestor was the one who made sure to take a picture so I had a copy.

I'm not crying, you're crying!

***

The Queen stopped by the Sidequest Players to inquire if anyone would fence with her.

I was so taken aback and looked at who was present: Peter, Nestor, and Clover. I gleefully suggested that Nestor be our champion. Nestor was in mid-riddle, and of COURSE I tagged him out.

He debated if he should let the Queen win, or do his best, and in the end, he choose to do his best.

"Have you fenced before?" Queen Catherine asks politely.

"Yes, maybe 10 years ago, your Majesty," replies Nestor.

"Crap."

He got the first balloon, but it was a clumsy hit. The Queen hit the next balloon with an elegant flick of the wrist, but he was able to win!

He celebrates a bit, play it up to the crowds, only to turn around and see one of her guards walk slowly towards him.

*GULP*

The guard tore him up fairly easily, but Nestor was honored to have dueled the Queen.

***

Nestor and I aren't in this for the money, however, this has been the most financially successful season for us, and this experience he had might be why...

The Sidequest players were riddling to a large group for about an hour and half. Eventually, Nestor gets up to provide Sidequests, and one person calls him over.

"Master Riddler, do you have change for a $20?" he asks, holding it out. It's clear he wishes to tip for his experience.

Nestor looks him in the eyes, take the $20 and place it in the tip jar. "No." Nestor says.

Then Nestor laughs and fishes it back out. Reaching for his wallet, Nestor asks what does he want back. "$10 is fine." Nestor gives him $10 back, and puts the other $10 in the tip jar.

He looks Nestor in the eyes, and says, "Thank you!'', and drops the $20 in. What a legend.

***

What's in a name?

For the last couple seasons, Nestor had been 'Nestor the Cruel.' He always said it was because it was because he liked telling the hard riddles. Since The Sidequest Players is a new act, the idea was to be kind. I didn't want to be an evil deer anymore. I want people to be happy to see us. We are new friends. Before the season started, I said, "Nestor, you're an alchemist and an academic, right?"

"Yeah."

"What if 'The Cruel' was more of a nickname you got from your students because you challenge them? Not because you're actually a cruel person."

*Genuine look of consideration on Nestor's face*

"You're an academic. You're Professor Nestor."

*Nestor bursts out laughing*

Nestor approves.

*weeks later*

One morning while setting up The Sidequest Stop, I asked Nestor if he had a last name since he had always been 'Nestor the Cruel.'

On the spot, Nestor said "Victorium." And I got a tingle through my body and a grin on my face. It was the perfect name update. He may be known as 'Nestor the Cruel,' but his full name is now: Professor Nestor 'the Cruel' Victorium.

***

This year, Nestor and I didn't get to play as closely as we had in the past; our stage was bigger, we had more responsibilities, more forms of entertainment. But something I was sure for us to get was a picture of us in shadow. We usually get one like this once a year. It happened the first time because it looked kind of cool, but now this is the third year. We know our silhouettes. And maybe it's a little special because Nestor knows the last 16 lines of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' by heart...

If we shadows have offended,

Think but this, and all is mended,

That you have but slumbered here

While these visions did appear.

And this weak and idle theme,

No more yielding but a dream,

Gentles, do not reprehend:

If you pardon, we will mend:

And, as I am an honest Puck,

If we have unearned luck

Now to 'scape the serpent's tongue,

We will make amends ere long;

Else the Puck a liar call;

So, good night unto you all.

Give me your hands, if we be friends,

And Robin shall restore amends.

With that, on behalf of my Brother and I, good night, and fare thee well.